India triumphed in historic fashion by clinching both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. On Sunday, the Indian teams outclassed Nepal in their respective finals, with the men securing a 54-36 victory and the women dominating with a 78-40 scoreline.
Both Indian squads had previously defeated Nepal during the Asian Kho Kho Championships in Assam last year, giving them valuable insights into their opponents’ tactics and weaknesses.
The Indian women’s team delivered a flawless performance, showcasing exceptional coordination and strategy. Their aggressive play in Turn 1, led by captain Priyanka Ingle, left Nepal struggling to mount a counterattack. Quick touches and a solid tactical approach allowed India to score a commanding 35 points, while Nepal failed to register a single Dream Run. Although Nepal staged a brief comeback in Turn 2, led by Dipa BK’s All Out, India maintained a 35-24 advantage at halftime.
India continued to dominate in Turn 3, extending their lead to 73-24. Player-of-the-Match Chaithra B sealed the victory with a crucial Dream Run in Turn 4, leading India to a 38-point win. Reflecting on the achievement, coach Sumit Bhatia remarked, “History was made today. I’m incredibly proud of how the team carried themselves throughout the tournament.” He added that strategic changes during the league stages and cautious use of risky maneuvers, such as dives, played a key role in the win. Following the match, Arjuna awardee and former captain Nasreen Shaikh announced her retirement.
In the men’s final, India set the tone early, with Ramji Kashyap and Suyash Gargate executing impressive sky dives and touches to establish a 26-0 lead in Turn 1, denying Nepal a Dream Run. Despite Nepal narrowing the gap in Turn 2 through efforts by Janak Chand and Suraj Pujara, India held a 26-18 advantage at halftime.
Turn 3 saw captain Pratik Waikar take charge, delivering multiple sky dives with support from Kashyap and Ganpule, pushing the score to 54-18. In the final turn, Nepal attempted to fight back, but India’s defense, anchored by Waikar, Sachin Bhargo, Mehul, and Suman Barman, held firm, securing the 54-36 win.
“This victory is a testament to our growth as a team and as a sport,” Waikar said, expressing confidence in kho kho’s rising popularity. Coach Ashwini Kumar hinted that England might host the next edition in 2027.
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